About

I was diagnosed with a generalized anxiety disorder in 2009.  On my worst days, I desperately searched for someone who had endured a similar experience, who would not just tell me that everything would be okay, but who would actually share their stories and how they got through it.  Show me, rather than tell me, y’know?

I searched a million different ways through message boards, medical sites and social media groups galore.  I searched for evidence of the strange anxiety symptoms, I was feeling and couldn’t quite explain.  But, try as I might, I didn’t feel that I could trust any of the voices I found online. It was all essentially just noise that only added to my existing anxieties. That’s when I decided to make a pact with myself that once I got healthier and found firmer footing, I would create a space to share what I wish I could have found back then. 

As I was preparing to get my SCUBA certification, I asked my SCUBA instructor what I should do if I saw a shark while diving. He told me that the best thing to do is to remain calm because sharks sense fear. Then he said IF a shark should become too curious and verge on aggression, the best thing to do as a diver is to – are you ready for this? – Swim. Toward. The Shark. 

That blew me away. 

What a powerful analogy for facing our fears. When fear gets too close, too curious, and tries to send us swimming for shore, the best thing we can do is look it in the eye, swim toward it, and watch it scurry into the deep.

And that’s how “swimming toward the shark” was born.  I chose to use the word “swimming” rather than “swim” because it’s not a directive. Growth and evolution aren’t light switches that you can turn on and off. They are ideals you choose to pursue every day that require ongoing work and a firm commitment to look fear in the face every day and keep it from getting too comfortable.  To keep it in check so you can keep swimming toward self-discovery.  Journeying toward your very best self.  Journeying toward your truth.